As a full-time instructor at Nassau Community College, Jainy Thomas said she saw first hand the need for students to get help with their reading and writing skills.
So three weeks ago she opened the English Skills Center in New Hyde Park.
“I just felt they were not being adequately prepared at the high school level,” Thomas said. “I wanted something that would be available to the local community.”
Thomas said her target population is high school and college students seeking to improve their skills in preparation for SAT tests, and writing essays for college acceptance and course papers.
In the short time since she opened her school at 253 Jericho Turnpike, Thomas said, she’s getting a particularly good response to the SAT Boot Camp the school offers.
The SAT Boot Camp meets twice a week in 90-minute sessions that will take place over eight weeks, she said.
The first four weeks are taught by an experienced English instructor who gives lessons in vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar and writing. The final four weeks are focused on mathematics skills.
She said the classes of six to eight students allow her to give individual attention and classes. The sessions are also scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate students’ schedules.
The entire SAT course costs $720 and English and math segments each cost $360.
Thomas said the course begins with a diagnostic test to assess each students’ strengths and weaknesses.
“It’s an intensive type course,” Thomas said. “Students don’t really have much time. So we’re trying to meet their needs.”
Along with working on academic material, she said the SAT prep is also aims to give the students test-taking skills to address the “test anxiety” she said many students have.
An academic writing course offering basic skills for organizing and writing essays is also offered in 90-minute sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights.
The center includes four teachers and Thomas, who said she will be involved in one-on-one tutoring.
Thomas was a science major at Fordham University for three years with the intention of becoming a doctor. But, she said, she decided that profession wouldn’t really suit her.
So she became an English major and completed all the English literature courses required for her bachelors degree in one year.
“I was very passionate about teaching English,” she said.
She then taught English full time at Kingsborough College and part time at Brooklyn College for eight years.
She earned her masters degree at Fordham in English literacy while teaching at Kingsborough and Brooklyn College
After getting her teaching certificate, Thomas taught English at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn for three years. She then moved Nassau Community College.
Living in New Hyde Park for the past eight years, there was an obvious convenience factor in locating the English Skills Center in the village.
Thomas said she thinks the reason students are often lacking in English skills is that they don’t spend enough time reading.
“Reading is essential. Unfortunately, nowadays students only read it they have to,” Thomas said. “Reading is key to acquiring good language skills.”
Consistent with that belief, Thomas is building up a small lending library of English language classics for students to borrow.
She said she also feels there should be more attention given to developing students’ writing skills at all grade levels.
“Even in elementary schools, there isn’t enough emphasis on writing,” Thomas said.
She said the college essay course will be offered in the spring and she’s planning to offer full-time programs in the summer as well.
“I hope this opens the door for many children in the community,” Thomas said.
